SBOTS English Language & Verbal Ability Syllabus

English Language & Verbal Ability syllabus — full chapter and topic list

Expand any chapter to see its topics and sub-topics. This is the whole examinable outline for English Language & Verbal Ability in SBOTS, not a summary of it.

1. 1

   Vocabulary

   5 topics

   • Synonyms
   • Antonyms
   • One-Word Substitution
   • Idioms & Phrases
   • Analogies
2. 2

   Grammar & Usage

   5 topics

   • Parts of Speech
   • Tenses & Subject-Verb Agreement
   • Prepositions & Articles
   • Sentence Correction
   • Common Errors in Usage
3. 3

   Sentence Completion

   3 topics

   • Single Blank Fill-ins
   • Double Blank Fill-ins
   • Contextual Word Choice
4. 4

   Reading Comprehension

   4 topics

   • Main Idea & Central Theme
   • Inference Questions
   • Tone & Author's Intent
   • Vocabulary-in-Context
5. 5

   Verbal Reasoning

   3 topics

   • Verbal Analogies
   • Verbal Classification
   • Logical Sequence of Words

English Language & Verbal Ability flashcards for SBOTS

18 of 50 cards from the English Language & Verbal Ability deck — real questions with worked answers.

1. What is a synonym? Give a synonym for the word "abundant."

   A synonym is a word with the same or nearly the same meaning as another word. A synonym for "abundant" is "plentiful" (also copious, ample).

2. What is an antonym? Give the antonym of "benevolent."

   An antonym is a word opposite in meaning to another word. The antonym of "benevolent" (kind) is "malevolent" (cruel/spiteful).

3. Give a synonym and an antonym for the word "candid."

   Candid means frank/honest. Synonym: forthright. Antonym: evasive (or secretive).

4. One-word substitution: a person who knows many languages.

   Polyglot.

5. One-word substitution: a government run by the wealthy.

   Plutocracy.

6. One-word substitution: words inscribed on a tomb.

   Epitaph.

7. One-word substitution: a medicine that counteracts a poison.

   Antidote.

8. One-word substitution: one who eats both plants and meat.

   Omnivore.

9. What does the idiom "to bite the bullet" mean?

   To force oneself to endure or face a painful, difficult, or unpleasant situation with courage.

10. What does the idiom "a blessing in disguise" mean?

    Something that seems bad or unfortunate at first but results in a good outcome.

11. What does the idiom "to let the cat out of the bag" mean?

    To reveal a secret carelessly or by mistake.

12. What does the phrase "once in a blue moon" mean?

    Very rarely; almost never.

13. How do you solve a verbal analogy, e.g. "Doctor : Hospital :: Teacher : ?"

    Identify the relationship in the first pair and apply it to the second. Doctor works in a Hospital; a Teacher works in a School. Answer: School.

14. Analogy: "Hot : Cold :: Up : ?" What relationship and answer?

    Relationship is antonyms (opposites). Up : Down. Answer: Down.

15. Analogy: "Cub : Bear :: Calf : ?" Identify the relationship and answer.

    Relationship: young animal to its adult. A calf is the young of a Cow. Answer: Cow.

16. What are the eight parts of speech in English?

    Noun, Pronoun, Verb, Adjective, Adverb, Preposition, Conjunction, and Interjection.

17. What is the function of an adjective versus an adverb?

    An adjective modifies (describes) a noun or pronoun; an adverb modifies a verb, adjective, or another adverb (often telling how, when, where, or to what degree).

18. What is the difference between a common noun and a proper noun?

    A common noun names a general person, place, or thing (e.g., city) and is not capitalized; a proper noun names a specific one (e.g., Lahore) and is always capitalized.

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